Summer departure deals

Unspoilt, uncrowded, and unique in its culture, Albania is a treasure chest of ancient cities, mystical mountains, museums, castles and coastline, its feast of Ottoman architecture the jewel in its crown. This tour lifts the lid on its riches, of heritage and of nature

A wonderful waltz with the Danube’s drift, this classic cruise goes with the flow from Austrian Melk and Vienna to Slovakia’s capital, Bratislava; and sails the natural, national border to Hungary, to visit the Puszta prairie, beautiful Budapest, and Esztergom’s Basilica

Covering three countries’ capitals and a kaleidoscope of colours and cultures, this bountiful tour of the Balkans crosses borders and beautiful landscapes, to reveal the ancient sites, artistic treasures, and medieval monuments of Bulgaria, Serbia, and Romania

Across Bulgaria’s beautiful landscapes, monasteries, monuments, and museums mark thousands of years of historic heritage. From the Rila Mountains to river valleys and Black Sea shores, this beguiling tour visits stately cities, intriguing towns, and tiny villages

A seven-day cruise on four rivers, this is a relaxing float through luxuriant landscapes and ravishing scenery, visiting vineyards, castles, and Roman monuments, with overnight moorings in medieval towns for leisurely evenings ashore

Cruising the Guadalquivir from spirited Seville to coastal Cadiz, and travelling by road to Roman and medieval Cordoba, the wine cellars of Jerez area, and Granada’s magnificent Moorish palace fortress, this tour adds an extra dimension to Andalucian discovery

A superb introduction to Spain’s Basque Country, dipping into the French side for Biarritz, touring to winelands and coastal ports, and visiting cities steeped in history, this is a vibrant and varied experience of the Basque culture, past and present

This multi-faceted tour of northwest Spain takes in four autonomous regions, beginning in the Basque Country, visiting the renowned La Rioja wine region, and walking the pilgrim paths of Castilla y León and Galicia, on a route from Bilbao to Santiago de Compostela

From the “foodie’s favourite” city of Lyon to Beaujolais vineyards, Roman temples, the medieval towns of Provence, and the wild beauty of the Camargue, this river cruise is a tour through time and traditions, between the scenic banks of the Rhône and Saône

Sailing through scenery which inspired Impressionist artists, Monet and Manet, Gaugin and Renoir, this is a river cruise through the romance of France, from the country’s inimitable capital, via historic towns, abbeys, chateaux, and harbours, to coastal Honfleur

An unhurried antidote to the pace of modern life, this ‘no-fly’ tour takes the train to Avignon, and cruises from Sète to revelations on the Canal du Rhône à Roman Arles, in medieval Aigues-Mortes, the Camargue wilderness and Étang de Thau sea-lake.

Surrounded by the spectacular scenery of Georgia and Armenia, explore the capitals, countryside and cultural heritage of the Caucasus. Sandwiched between the Black and Caspian Seas, this is where Asia and Europe seep into each other in a rich tapestry of traditions

Spectacular seascapes, beautiful beaches, iconic cube houses in white and sky blue, and that rare blend of island simplicity and a cosmopolitan air, these are the hallmarks of the Cycladic archipelago. Sail on the small ship MS Galileo to visit ten of the fabled isles

This rewarding journey takes you off-the-beaten-track to Himalayan hill stations, heritage hotels, and the home of the Dalai Lama; revealing the history of Sikhism, Buddhism and Christianity

Step back in time for a week as you explore the cobblestone streets, medieval castles and centuries-old villages of colourful Lake Como